# NTSB FTW84FA264: Cessna A185F, N4665E, Houma, LA, June 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1984, 18:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Houma, LA
- Location: 29.5786° N, 90.7079° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houma, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5786&lon=-90.7079&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21126
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21126/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA264

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,static(marked) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

PLT WAS RETURNING TO HOME BASE OF OPERATIONS, EXECUTING STANDARD VISUAL APPROACH ALONG INTERCOASTAL WATERWAY ON WESTERLY BASE HEADING PRIOR TO TURN ON FINAL. ACFT COLLIDED WITH OVERHEAD GROUND WIRES OF POWER TRANSMISSION ARRAY SPANNING THE WATERWAY AT AN OVERPASS. INVESTIGATION REVEALED ACFT HEADING AT TIME OF IMPACT WAS INTO SETTING SUN, WITH STRONG REFLECTIVE GLARE FROM WATER. OPERATOR STATED WIRES WERE MARKED WITH ORANGE BALLS AT TIME OF MISHAP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4665E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4665E-1984-08-06), registration cancelled 1984-08-06, S/N 18503835, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503835
- Airframe hours: 2687
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hammonds Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1983, 93 hours before
- Departed: VENICE, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 13,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 12,739 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840603075249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840603075249A), Jun 3, 1984: Cessna A185F, Houma, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Float plane in traffic pattern to seaplane base hit powerlines, fell nose down into water. Vision obscured by sun.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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